Trees have been felled and buildings damaged by Storm Ffion as it swept into Essex overnight.

There were power cuts across Uttlesford reported. Picture: UK POWER NETWORKS

Gusts of up to 75mph were expected in parts of the county and a yellow weather warning was put in place by the Met Office.

The warning remains in place today (Thursday) with high winds and disruption expected to continue into mid-morning.

In Saffron Walden, more than 200 homes were left without power following a fault in the network.

A spokesman for UK Power Networks said: “We’re investigating a high voltage overhead electricity line fault which has caused a power cut in the local area.”

There were also reports of major disruption in Great Dunmow, with more than 1,500 homes affected, and outages in White Roding and Takeley.

On Facebook, Saffron Walden Fire Station posted: “It has been a busy night for our crews with a call to a building roof blown off on Thaxted Road and then called to the M11 with lorries overturned due to the wind.

“Please be careful whatever you are doing this morning as its still very windy with trees blown down, fence panels and general debris in the roads and flying everywhere.”

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “There will be very strong winds will affect parts of the UK early on Thursday. The strongest winds are expected to transfer eastwards across the warning area, before clearing by mid-morning.

“Road, rail and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations. There is also a possibility that some bridges may close. Power cuts may occur, and there is the potential for other services, such as mobile phone coverage, to be affected.

“Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible, along with some damage to buildings.”

An application to build 20 homes in Takeley, separated “just 20 metres” from Hatfield Forest has been granted, despite the National Trust saying the number of visitors is already “unsustainable” and that further development close to the forest could damage the ancient woodland.